Romania << back Romanian Processing Legal processing of the adoption in Romania generally begins after the adoptive parent(s) have accepted an assigned child. The dossier is reviewed by various adoption authorities in Bucharest, including the Local Commission for Child Welfare and the Romanian Adoptive Committee. In the final stage of processing, an attorney from the agency will present the adoptive case to a Romanian judge. The judge, after approving the adoption, issues an adoption decree. Once the adoption decree is issued the adoptive parent(s) are considered the legal parent(s) of the child under Romanian law. A new birth certificate and Romanian passport will be issued for the child, reflecting the last name of the child as that of the adoptive parents. Also, an American Embassy date will be assigned for obtaining the child's imigration visa. From the time the Romanian processing of the adoption begins, it takes approximately 4 months to complete. During this time, adopting parents will receive updated measurements and videos of their child. Finalization Week Adoptive parents may travel to Romania to take custody of their child and go through final U.S. Embassy procedures, or the child may be brought to the United States by an escort. While in Romania, the adoptive parent(s) will receive the child's adoption decree, birth certificate, passport and the child's medical record. It takes a minimum of 36 hours to complete this final stage, however, adoptive parents will be in Romania for approximately 5 to 7 days. During this time, parents have the option to stay at a five-star hotel with which the Law Firm has a contract for lowered rates from firm clients. Hotel amenities include a spa, pool, and two restaurants. Breakfast is included with the room fee, and the money exchange booth is located in the lobby of the hotel. LAST UPDATED: 11.7.2000 All Rights Reserved! ©2000